NL West

Now Commenting On:

Darvish is flawless in Cactus League debut

Email

Print

Darvish is sharp vs. White Sox 1:43

Yu Darvish, Ron Washington, and A.J. Pierzynski discuss what the second-year starter worked on in his recent spring start vs. the White Sox

By T.R. Sullivan

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Yu Darvish retired six straight hitters to begin the game, striking out two, and Mike Olt delivered his first hit of the spring with a two-run home run in the Rangers' 14-8 loss to the White Sox on Tuesday.

"I think my fastball was really good today, but it's just the beginning of Spring Training," Darvish said. "I don't think the hitters are ready yet."

The Rangers bullpen didn't fare as well as Darvish, however, as the White Sox scored 12 runs in three innings off relievers Cody Buckel, Evan Meek and Josh Lindblom.

Third baseman Conor Gillaspie led the White Sox with two hits and four RBIs, and the South Siders took advantage of five walks by Buckel in the third inning. Catcher Hector Gimenez also had two hits. White Sox starter Nestor Molina and reliever Brian Omogrosso both pitched two scoreless innings.

Up next: Nelson Cruz will be back in the lineup for the Rangers when they play the White Sox at 2:05 p.m. CT on Wednesday in Glendale. Cruz is 1-for-7 with a home run after getting a day off on Tuesday. He will be leaving the Rangers on Sunday to join the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Alexi Ogando starts for the Rangers and will be followed by Robbie Ross.